by Beth Wiseman
Dinah jerked up her head at the frustration in Amos’s voice. She saw his cheeks redden and caught the quick glance he sent her way. She immediately understood. Jeremiah was coddling him, too, and Amos didn’t like it any more than she did. “I c-can h-help,” she piped up.
Amos looked at her. “But you’re our . . .” He scratched his head and frowned. “Our . . .”
“Guest,” Jeremiah supplied. “And Amos is right. You’re a guest here. You don’t need to be doing so much work.”
“I d-don’t m-mind.” And she really didn’t. Her aunt would be busy tending to David. At least if she was helping Amos, she wouldn’t be alone in a strange house. That defeated the purpose of her coming here. Keeping busy would make the time pass faster until she could go back home.
Home. Odd, she hadn’t thought about home since she’d arrived.
“I said I could do it!” Amos stalked off toward the barn.
Dinah flinched. She should have kept her mouth shut. She should have realized that Amos wouldn’t appreciate the offer. He didn’t even want his brother helping him. It was as if he had something to prove. She understood exactly how that felt.
“Don’t worry about Amos,” Jeremiah said, moving to stand next to her. They watched as he disappeared into the barn. “He’ll be okay. He’s worried about Daed.”
Dinah nodded and bit her lower lip.
“He’ll come around.” Jeremiah smiled at her. “Let’s go in the house and check on the curmudgeon. I’m sure he’s giving Judith a hard time. Not that she can’t handle it.”
Dinah nodded. Aenti Judith could handle anything. She had been widowed for several years and didn’t have any children of her own. She’d moved to Middlefield from New York by herself, against everyone’s wishes, saying she wanted a new start. And she had made one. Now she was married and had stepchildren. Knowing Aenti Judith, Dinah was sure she loved them as if they were her own. She followed Jeremiah into the house, but paused at the doorway and looked at the barn again, hoping Amos was okay.
Chapter Four
Later that evening Dinah prepared supper while Aenti Judith, Jeremiah, and his wife, Anna Mae, were in the living room with David. As Dinah made a fresh salad to go along with the roasted chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes, she thought about her conversation a few hours earlier with her aunt. They had spent several moments talking after David finally fell asleep. Jeremiah had left to go back to work, and Amos returned to the hayfield.
“I’m surprised you’re here a day early,” Aenti Judith had said as Dinah handed her a cup of chamomile tea in the kitchen.
“M-Mamm’s idea.” Dinah joined her at the table, clasping her hands on her lap as she sat down.
“Not that I’m complaining.” Her aunt took a sip of the tea. “Thank the Lord you were here to take care of David’s leg. I had nee idea you were so skilled.”
Dinah hadn’t either. But now that she had time to process what had happened, she wasn’t sure where she had gotten the strength or the confidence to stitch David’s leg. Wait. I do know. Thank You, Lord, for guiding mei hand.
“Amos brought in yer suitcase. You can stay in Jeremiah’s old bedroom.” Aenti Judith let out a long breath. “I’m glad you’re here, and not just because of David. I’ve been looking forward to yer visit.”
“M-me too.” She relaxed the tight grip she had on her interlocked fingers. She was comfortable around her aunt, who had never made her feel like she was less because of her stutter and shyness. Aenti Judith had understood, unlike her mother who was always pushing her to go to singings and to think about marriage. The idea of marrying someone frightened her. What if he was impatient with her? What if he lost his temper? Her fingers tightened their grip again.
“I can hear David stirring in the other room, probably trying to get up again.” Aenti Judith rose. “Please, make yourself at home. I want you to feel welcome, despite the rough day we had.”
“Danki, Aenti Judith.”
Dinah had made herself at home in the kitchen, and now she sliced a ripe tomato into small pieces, then sprinkled them on the salad. She wondered if Amos liked tomatoes. She probably should have put them in a little bowl on the side just in case he didn’t.
Thinking about Amos made her smile. There was something about him. He was more appealing than any man she’d ever met. He was a gentle giant. She wasn’t even bothered by his earlier outburst. She understood his frustration.
Then the image of him without a shirt on entered her mind. He’s a handsome mann, for sure. And I’m only human. But there was more to Amos than his looks, or even his simple demeanor. He was special.
Anna Mae walked into the kitchen, Aenti Judith behind her. Anna Mae smiled at Dinah. “David’s going to be fine,” she said. “He lost a lot of blood, but not enough to need a transfusion. His color is good and he’s not in shock. The stitching job you did, Dinah, was excellent. I know some of my fellow surgical nurses would be jealous of such fine work.”
Dinah reddened and moved to put the salad bowl on the table. She’d never received so many compliments in one day. Her father and brothers were never big on sentimentality, and her mother seemed more concerned with pushing Dinah into doing things she didn’t want to do than recognizing what she could do. “I-I’m g-glad I c-could h-help.” Dinah forced her voice to be as steady as possible. When she failed, she tried not to frown.
“If you hadn’t helped,” Aenti Judith said, “David might have . . .” She brought her trembling fingers to her lips.
Anna Mae put her hand on Aenti Judith’s shoulder. “David would have been fine. God was watching out for him.” She pushed a strand of her short hair behind her ear. “Jeremiah’s talking to David, trying to convince him he needs to take it easy. He could pop the stitches if he tries to do too much.”
“I’ll make sure he rests,” Aenti Judith said.
At that moment Jeremiah came into the kitchen, looking grumpy. “The ogre is hungry,” he said.
Anna Mae went to stand by her husband. They were a striking couple, she with her blond hair and he with the darker hair and a full beard. They both wore wedding rings, and if Dinah hadn’t known their history, she wouldn’t have assumed they had once been Amish. She’d always wondered what made people decide to leave their faith, although in this case she knew neither of them had joined the church, choosing instead to pursue their careers. They couldn’t have done that if they were Amish. As for herself, she had no desire to be anything but Amish. She was content with her life—at least where her faith was concerned. The rest she wasn’t so sure of.
“Did David agree to take it easy?” her aunt asked.
Jeremiah nodded. “Yeah, but it took some convincing. My daed is nothing if not stubborn.”
Aenti Judith chuckled. “That’s one of his charms.” She picked up a plate, but then lifted the spoon from the pot of mashed potatoes when Anna Mae shook her head.
“After what he’s been through,” she said, “something light would be better. Maybe a piece of bread and butter to start?”
Aenti Judith nodded and went to the table. She picked up a fresh slice of bread and spread a thin layer of butter on top.
Dinah finished setting the table. Without being asked, Anna Mae went to the stove to check on the pot of green beans simmering on the burner. She seemed comfortable in this house. Jeremiah poured himself a glass of tea. He was about to take a sip when he stopped, the glass halfway to his mouth. “Where’s Amos?”
Her aunt put another slice of bread on top of the one she had buttered. “He must still be outside working.” She frowned. “He’s usually not late for a meal.”
Jeremiah put down his glass. “I’ll get him.”
“I-I c-can d-do it,” Dinah said without thinking.
“It’s all right,” Jeremiah said. “I don’t mind getting him—”
“Help me with these green beans,” Anna Mae interrupted.
Jeremiah frowned and looked at his wife. “You can’t stir a pot of beans by yourself?”
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br /> Anna Mae’s eyes narrowed. “No, I can’t.”
Jeremiah paused, still looking confused. Then he nodded. “Oh. Right. I’ll help you, then.” He turned to Dinah. “It would be great if you could get my brother. He’s probably in the hayfield or maybe the cornfield right beside it. That way I can help my wife, uh, stir the beans.”
Clearly Anna Mae didn’t need any help with the beans. Maybe she wanted to talk to Jeremiah privately about David. It wasn’t Dinah’s business, so she left the kitchen to find Amos.
When she was outside, she looked around the property. She hadn’t paid much attention to it before. Last time she was here there were so many people and too much commotion. But now she had a moment to appreciate the small, neatly kept farm.
She started walking again, and a few minutes later she found Amos working at the opposite end of the hayfield. He was raking a row of hay into a roll, then with light strokes he gathered it up into a loose, cylindrical pile. There were many piles at the edge of the field. She’d seen haystacks before, but she didn’t know the process of cutting and drying hay. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
She yelled out to him as loud as she could, pleased she didn’t stumble over his name. Amos stopped raking and lifted his head. Dinah shielded her eyes from the setting sun and yelled, “S-supper’s r-ready!” So much for not tripping over her tongue.
He nodded and raked for a few more minutes. When he finished, she watched him head for the barn, which was in front of the field and several yards from the house.
Amos motioned with his head for her to follow him to the barn. She did, but remained outside. He hadn’t invited her inside, and she didn’t want to overstep her bounds. When he came back out, he said, “I’m late.”
“N-not too late. We haven’t s-started eating. But everyone was w-wondering where you w-were.” Her nerves weren’t jangled like they usually were around people, especially those she didn’t know very well. And especially men. Of course, Amos was different.
“I’m sorry,” he said in that simple yet appealing way he had. “I know better. I’m not supposed to be late for supper.” He headed for the house, his broad shoulders straight, his posture tall. He carried himself well. She began to follow him, only to skid to a stop when he stopped in his tracks.
“Put the horses up . . . Put the horses up . . .” He turned. “I almost forgot to put the horses up. I would be in big trouble if I forgot to do that. They’re in the pasture.” He brushed past her and started for the grassy field when he sharply spun around. “Will you wait for me, Dinah Keim?”
An unexpected flow of warmth went through her and she nodded. “Ya. I w-will wait for you.”
“I won’t be long.” Then he paused, frowning. “Or maybe I will.” He spun on his booted heel and jogged to the pasture.
Dinah couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s okay, Amos,” she said, even though he was too far away for her to hear. “I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”
When Dinah and Amos entered the kitchen, Judith wasn’t there. “She wanted to stay with David,” Anna Mae explained. Dinah nodded, not surprised at her aunt’s devotion to her injured husband.
“Amos, don’t forget to wash up,” Jeremiah said as he sat down at the table.
Dinah saw Amos frown. But he didn’t say anything as he went to the sink and washed his hands. Then he sat next to Jeremiah and across from Dinah.
She bowed her head and silently prayed with the Mullet family. When prayer was over, both Jeremiah and Amos handed Anna Mae their plates and she filled them up, giving Amos a little more food than Jeremiah. Dinah could see why. Jeremiah was leaner than Amos, and as she had seen earlier, Amos was all muscle. She averted her gaze and focused on her empty plate.
“How much hay is left to cut?” Jeremiah asked Amos as he took his plate from his wife.
“I got half the field done. Tomorrow I’ll do the other half. Right, the other half.” Amos’s eyes moved from left to right.
Dinah watched as he paused, as if he was searching his mind.
“Then you’ll dry and stack the hay,” Jeremiah said.
Amos’s eyes widened. “Okay. Dry and stack the hay.” He stabbed several green beans with his fork, then shoved them into his mouth.
“My offer to help still stands,” Jeremiah said.
“So d-does m-mine.” Dinah froze as Amos, Jeremiah, and Anna Mae all looked at her. This was why she never volunteered to do anything. Her stutter never failed to draw unwanted attention. But she couldn’t stop herself from making sure Amos knew she was here to help. That she wanted to help.
Amos finished chewing and swallowed. “You know how to stack hay?” he asked Dinah.
She shook her head. Her father and brothers were carpenters, not farmers. “B-but I c-can l-learn. I want t-to learn. I-it sounds l-like f-fun.”
Jeremiah and Anna Mae started to laugh. Amos looked at them both, a bewildered expression on his face. Then he laughed too.
Dinah shrank in her chair. Had she misjudged this family? Were they making fun of her?
Anna Mae touched Dinah’s arm. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”
“Yeah,” Jeremiah said, grinning. But his smile was kind. “Amos and Daed have several acres of hay. It’s a lot of work.”
She lifted her chin. “I-I d-don’t m-mind w-working.” Now she sounded defensive. She shouldn’t have said anything at all. She tried to look away, but sensed Amos’s gaze on her. When she met his eyes, the soft kindness she saw there comforted her. He seemed to understand her sensitivity to criticism. Overly sensitive, her mother would say. And in this case, it was true. She could see that Jeremiah and Anna Mae weren’t laughing at her. But knowing that didn’t make her feel totally at ease, either.
Jeremiah and Anna Mae turned the topic to their jobs, and Dinah was grateful. She didn’t know much about veterinary medicine, so she paid attention to Jeremiah’s story about how he had helped deliver a breeched calf. But when Anna Mae started discussing her job, Dinah’s attention waned. She could stitch up a wound, but she wasn’t interested in the ins and outs of working at a hospital. Neither Jeremiah nor Anna Mae mentioned any names during their discussion, and Dinah could appreciate their attention to privacy. Still, her mind wandered as she helped herself to a slice of bread.
Amos was also quiet, engrossed in finishing his meal. Jeremiah tried to bring him into the conversation, but Amos gave one word answers. He wasn’t being rude, but like Dinah, he clearly wasn’t interested in participating in the discussion. Jeremiah seemed fine with that, and Dinah could feel the easy camaraderie between the three of them. She wished her family was this tight-knit. She wasn’t close with any of her siblings. She had little in common with her older brothers, who all worked in the family carpentry business and were busy with their own families. While Dinah enjoyed being an aunt and loved her nieces and nephews, her brothers were too busy to talk to her about poetry or books or pets, the three things she loved. They also didn’t have the patience for her stuttering. She knew they loved her, but she wasn’t sure they truly accepted her. Because I’m different.
“Dinah?”
She lifted her gaze and looked at Amos. He was staring at her. She should feel put off by his open perusal, but she didn’t. There was no guile with this man. After today’s events she also knew he was earnest and hardworking, and that he loved his family.
“You don’t like supper?” he asked, glancing at her almost-full plate.
“Amos.” Jeremiah’s tone held a bit of warning. And a touch of condescension, which Dinah found irritating.
“I’m sorry.” He bent his head and stared at his food. “I was rude.”
“You weren’t,” Dinah said, indignant on his behalf. “You simply asked me a question.”
“I’m not supposed to be nosy.”
“You’re not nosy.” She smiled when he looked at her again. “I was lost in mei thoughts.”
“I get lost in mine too.” He tapped on the side of his head and grinn
ed.
She laughed, then noticed that Jeremiah had relaxed. He and Anna Mae exchanged a smile.
For the rest of the meal, Dinah made sure to eat her food. She’d made it, after all, and it was delicious. She had to admit she was a decent cook. And she liked seeing Amos thoroughly enjoy the meal. When he finished, there was a small drop of mashed potatoes on the corner of his mouth. She had a strange urge to reach out and wipe it off with the tip of her finger.
Amos pushed back against the table. “Time to take care of the animals.”
Jeremiah jumped up from his chair. “I’ll help you.”
This time Amos didn’t protest. Dinah started clearing the table while Anna Mae filled the sink with water. “Do you mind drying the dishes?” she asked when Dinah had brought the last of the plates to her.
“Nee, n-not at a-all.”
“The kitchen towels are there.” She pointed to a drawer near the sink. “Unless Judith moved them. I used to know where everything was in this house. I practically grew up here when I was kid.”
“H-how long have y-you and J-Jeremiah been married?” Dinah found the dish towels and pulled one out of the drawer.
Anna Mae rinsed off a glass and handed it to Dinah. “A little more than a year. But we’ve been together much longer than that. We were best friends as kids. Me, Jeremiah, and Amos.” She paused from washing the dishes and looked at Dinah. “I guess you can tell Amos is . . . special.”
Dinah nodded. He definitely is.
“How long are you planning to visit?” Anna Mae asked.
Dinah dried a serving spoon. “T-two weeks.”
Plunging her hands back into the soapy water, Anna Mae said, “Since you’ll be here for a while, I think it’s okay to tell you about Amos. If you’re going to help him with the hay, there are a few things you should know about him. You are familye, after all.”
Dinah was surprised when Anna Mae slipped into Dietsch.
“Amos is a sweet mann. The kindest soul you’ll ever meet.” Anna Mae paused. “People tend to take advantage of that.”
She could see how that would be possible. She imagined he’d been ostracized for his differences more than she had for her own.